I don't have a jack, so after lifting the rear with a Steelhorse stand, I measured 7" from floor to frame directly under the engine. I jammed some wood under the frame and let the rear down and- damn- the front wheel wasn't quite off the ground.

So I let the air out of the rear tire.

That allowed the rear to settle just enough to get me 1/2" of clearance for the front wheel.

Pulled the tire and the brakes per the Haynes manual.
Installed a piece of paper over the right handlebar and front brake lever that says "DON'T TOUCH THE BRAKES".
Off with the mudguard and one of the forks.

Was fairly surprised at just how short the stock front springs are.
Here's a comparison. NOTE: The perspective is skewed in this photo. Both setups (spring, washer, and spacer) are 21" in length.

Yikes. I don't know squat about the boing-i-ness factor of springs, but even a marketing idiot like me can see that this is going to be a nice upgrade.

Poured in the 140mm of BelRay, reinstalled, repeated on the left side, and-

We're good to go!

See the improvement?
Rides even better than it looks.

Best,
Hilo

...who hasn't had this much wrenching fun since the mid 70's when he used to climb into the engine compartment of his '65 Galaxie 500 to tune it up...

I hacked my fenders today. Many said it couldn't be done (hack a chrome fender) but I had nothing to lose as you can see from the piece I hacked off. Those of you really paying attention might remember I flipped a trailer in NoCal with my Bonne on it in Sept.

Did my rear with a hack saw. Did my front with a Dremel. Now, granted, when you hack a a chrome fender it doesn't come out perfect. So I hit it with clear coat and put a black decal on it. What do you think?

I also whacked my pipe in the trailer mishap so today I wetsanded it with 220 grit. Pretty pleased with results. Little more elbow grease and she'll be right, especially for a left side pipe.

Last edited by steve betts; 11-18-2012 at 01:03 AM.
Reason: another pic

I hacked my fenders today. Many said it couldn't be done (hack a chrome fender) but I had nothing to lose as you can see from the piece I hacked off. Those of you really paying attention might remember I flipped a trailer in NoCal with my Bonne on it in Sept.

Did my rear with a hack saw. Did my front with a Dremel. Now, granted, when you hack a a chrome fender it doesn't come out perfect. So I hit it with clear coat and put a black decal on it. What do you think?

I also whacked my pipe in the trailer mishap so today I wetsanded it with 220 grit. Pretty pleased with results. Little more elbow grease and she'll be right, especially for a left side pipe.

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